Wai O Tapu and Champagne Pool Geothermal Explorer

Highlights

Inclusions

Itinerary

1. Discover a fascinating slice of New Zealand’s volcanic heartland on this unforgettable journey from Tauranga to the world-famous Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland. Departing from the Cruise Ship Port Gates at Tauranga Harbour, the tour begins with a scenic drive past Mount Maunganui and a stop at the beautiful Mount Maunganui Main Beach, renowned for its golden sands, rolling surf, and spectacular coastal views. Leaving the coast behind, we travel inland through rich farming country, crossing the Kaituna River as we journey south toward Rotorua. Along the way, enjoy views of the region’s stunning caldera lakes, formed by ancient volcanic eruptions that shaped this unique geothermal landscape.

   1 h

2. Our destination is the extraordinary Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland, one of New Zealand’s most colourful and dramatic geothermal attractions. Here, you will explore a fascinating landscape of steaming vents, bubbling earth, volcanic craters, and vibrant mineral terraces shaped by thousands of years of geothermal activity. The highlight of the visit is the famous Champagne Pool, a striking hot spring known for its vivid orange edges, rising steam, and shimmering mineral-rich waters. As you walk the well-formed trails through the park, you’ll encounter steaming fissures, sulphur formations, brightly coloured pools, and surreal volcanic scenery unlike anywhere else in the world. Nearby, we also visit the impressive mud pools, where boiling mud bubbles and splashes from deep beneath the earth’s surface — a powerful reminder of the volcanic forces still active below Rotorua today.

   3 hAdmission included

3. After exploring Wai-O-Tapu, we begin our return journey with a stop at the magnificent Redwoods Forest, famous for its towering Californian redwood trees and peaceful forest atmosphere. Guests may also enjoy optional activities including the Redwoods Treewalk or souvenir shopping at the visitor centre. Travelling back toward Tauranga, we pass through the fertile kiwifruit orchards of Paengaroa, home to one of New Zealand’s most famous horticultural industries, before returning to Mount Maunganui and Tauranga Harbour. The Wai-O-Tapu & Champagne Pool Geothermal Explorer combines coastal scenery, volcanic landscapes, native forest, and unforgettable geothermal wonders into one remarkable Bay of Plenty experience.

   2 h

Cancellation

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts, for a full refund.

Know before you go

How it compares in Tauranga

• Its from-price is 20% below the median of the 34 day trips we list in Tauranga.
• Its length is typical for the group.
• The operator lists free cancellation on it.

About Tauranga

Tauranga is a harbour city on New Zealand's Bay of Plenty, with kiwifruit orchards and the volcanic cone of Mauao at Mount Maunganui.

Tauranga lies on a large sheltered harbour on the Bay of Plenty, on the north-east coast of New Zealand's North Island, with a major port across the water. The Strand, the downtown waterfront, has cafés and parks, and The Elms, a mission station founded in 1838, is a preserved colonial house and garden.

Top-ranked sights in Tauranga: Waimarino Adventure Park.

See all 89 experiences in Tauranga